Why We Love Our Dental Assistants — And Why You Should Too!

While every member of our staff works hard to help you preserve your oral health, our dental assistants are key players in the routine dental care and the specialized treatments we provide. They make contact with every patient who walks through our doors, are responsible for making sure you feel comfortable and safe while you are in the dentist’s seat, and before you walk out our door, they will make sure you are well informed and educated. 

The quality of care at Dentistry By Design just wouldn’t be the same without them!

What Your Dental Assistant Does

If you are wondering what exactly our dental assistants are responsible for, the following are just some of their daily duties:

• Greeting patients and escorting them to the examination rooms
• Ensuring each patient’s comfort
• Taking down and tracking patients’ medical histories
• Making sure all of our dental equipment is sterilized and in safe condition
• Assisting with treatments and procedures
• Taking x-rays
• Educating patients on their treatment, procedures, and aftercare
• Updating and maintaining medical records

Why We Love Our Dental Assistants

While the list of duties that dental assistants perform is enough to earn our respect, it’s the underlying responsibilities that come with those duties that win them our love and appreciation. Our dental assistants are the keepers of the smile that eases your anxiety when you first enter the exam room. They earn your trust by asking you questions that must be asked in order to ensure you receive the best care possible, then asking you the questions you want to be asked so that you know your oral health providers really care about you!

Our dental assistants make sure the technology you depend on is in top condition and ready to be used safely. They are there to assist our dentist so routine exams and dental treatments go smoothly, so you can feel relaxed when you are in our care. Finally, when you leave our practice, they make sure you know everything you need to know in order to make the best of the care and treatments you have received.

Show Your Dental Assistant Some Love!

While the first full week of March is considered Dental Assistant Appreciation Week, we are celebrating our dental assistants all month long. Take some extra time to show your dental assistant that you appreciate them. If you are a regular patient, a simple thank-you card or a tooth-healthy treat is a great way to show your appreciation. If you are new to our practice, just take a moment to give our wonderful assistants a heartfelt thank you, and return the smile they so graciously hand out to each and every patient that walks through our door.

If you would like to experience the superior care you can receive from our talented and caring dental assistants, as well as the rest of the staff at Dentistry By Design, give us a call at (785) 370-0940 today!

5 of the Worst and Best Foods for Your Teeth

Sugar-filled candy and soft drinks are probably the first snacks that come to mind when you think about your favorite bites that are damaging to your teeth. But you might be surprised by some of the seemingly harmless foods and beverages that pose an equal threat to your pearly whites on a daily basis. 

The following five eats and sips may seem (and taste) good, but they are nothing but bad when it comes to your teeth. Don’t dismay, we have some great alternatives guaranteed to help you enjoy a lifetime of healthy teeth.

Processed Carbs (Think Bread)

White, whole wheat, or whole grain — it doesn’t make a difference. Processed carbs like bread and crackers are at the top of the “Worst for Your Teeth” list. These sneaky snacks are really just sugars in disguise. Your saliva has an enzyme that starts the digestion process in your mouth, instantly converting carbs into sugars. The bad bacteria in your mouth then eats the sugar, converting it into acid that breaks down the enamel on your teeth, leaving them vulnerable to decay.

Snack on this instead...
Cheese and Milk

The calcium in dairy products has long been credited for strengthening teeth, but new studies have found that it also lowers the pH level in your mouth, helping to fight plaque and cavities, as well as to protect enamel. Consuming dairy also increases your production of saliva, which is great for keeping your teeth clean!

Dried Fruit

Fruit is good for you, but it is high in sugar. And while fresh fruit and dried fruit have the same amount of sugar in them, dried fruit is similar to sticky candy and adheres to the surface of your teeth, where it does a lot of damage.

Snack on this instead...
Fresh, Fiber-Rich Fruits and Veggies

Fiber-rich fruits and veggies are like cleansers for your mouth. Crisp fruits and vegetables, such as apples and carrots, actually help clean plaque from teeth and freshen breath. These tooth-decay-fighting foods are also saliva producers. Saliva, which washes away food and neutralizes acid, is your best natural defense against cavities.

Kombucha

Kombucha drinkers are loyal to their tea — we know this. But the truth is it poses the same risk to teeth as sugary soda does. Kombucha’s pH is low...very low. A pH less than 7 is considered acidic, and kombucha’s acidity level is almost as low as it can go, with a pH coming in at only 2.5. Kombucha drinking is sure to get you into trouble if done on a daily basis, and it poses a real threat to those at risk for cavities.

Drink this instead...
Green and Black Tea

These teas contain compounds that suppress and kill bad bacteria when they mix with the plaque on your teeth. This deters the bacteria from producing acid that attacks teeth and weakens enamel. Brew your tea with fluoridated water and it will be downright good for your teeth.

Lemons

With a pH of only 2, lemons are one of the most acidic foods you can put in your mouth. If you enjoy sucking on lemons or drinking lemon juice or lemony beverages, chances are your teeth are suffering from loss of enamel. When tooth enamel erodes, lemons won’t be the only yellow thing in your mouth — your teeth will be too!

Snack on this instead...
Sugarless Chewing Gum

Instead of sucking on lemons, chew on sugarless chewing gum. It increases the flow of saliva, effectively rinsing harmful acid off your teeth and preserving your enamel. It can also pull bits of remaining food from the surfaces of your teeth, and it’s great in a pinch after mealtime when you’ve forgotten your toothbrush or are out on the town for the evening.

Alcohol

Cocktails, beer, and wine: We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but drinks with alcohol have a drying effect, and a dry mouth is bad for teeth. Because saliva is critical to your teeth’s defense against plaque, anything that has a drying effect is bad. People who drink alcohol regularly are putting their teeth at risk. The risk is even higher for those who suffer from dry mouth.

Drink this instead...
Water with Fluoride

Drinking water with fluoride is a no-brainer when it comes to protecting your teeth. Water washes away the harmful acids, and fluoride makes your teeth strong. If you must have that end-of-week cocktail, protect your teeth by drinking a glass of fluoridated water after each beverage.

For more information on how to keep your teeth in top condition, call us today and set up your next appointment! 

Celebrate with a Smile – National Children’s Dental Health Month

February marks National Children’s Dental Health Month. This annual celebration, sponsored by the American Dental Association (ADA), is dedicated to raising awareness of the importance of children’s dental health. Navigating your children’s oral health care can sometimes be confusing and even a little bit scary for both you and your child. The following are tips and tricks to help take a bite out of your child’s dental fear, encourage routine oral health practices, and help keep you and your little ones smiling through it all.

• Our office is kid-friendly. We understand that a new experience is fun and scary so we encourage our little patient’s caretakers to stay positive about coming to see us. We help you out with this by having toys and distractions in the waiting room as well as our chairs.

• We know little wiggle worms can hold still while in a kid friendly waiting room just waiting to be explored, so we provide all our necessary forms online so that you can complete them ahead of time for your ease.

• We think ahead. Please tell us if you would rather come in with little one or have them go on their own. This way there are fewer surprises for everyone in an already unfamiliar environment.

• We’re here for you, both of you. During the appointment, we’ll do a dental exam to look for any signs of tooth decay, and check your child’s bite, gums and other parts of the mouth. We are also open to any questions you may have about how to care for your child’s teeth and gums.

• Don’t skip dental appointments. Regular visits help protect against issues that could cause pain and create a fear of the dentist. Visit the dentist once every six months, even if there’s no issue.

• The more they know the better. Children’s characters take trips to the dentist too! Find a book that features a dentist visit so help your little one understand what their own adventure could be like. Also take them along with you for your annual checkup.

• As kids realize that taking care of their teeth makes them look and feel good, they may actually start looking forward to visiting the dentist!

The following are some fun oral health facts to sink your teeth into:

• Straight up: Baby teeth are just as important as permanent teeth, not only do they help kids chew and speak, they are placeholders for permanent teeth. If they come out before they should, adult teeth can come into the empty space making it hard for other adult teeth to find room when they come in.

• The rule of ones: According to the ADA, your little one’s first dentist appointment should happen right around another first, their one-year birthday or when they lose their first tooth.

• Don’t delay, stop tooth decay: Tooth decay can have consequences that go beyond discomfort and a dental visit. It can hinder your child’s quality of life, cognitive and social skills not to mention hurt their self-esteem. To prevent tooth decay we recommend, visiting us regularly, and use fluoride (rinses and toothpaste).

• I spy: Signs of tooth decay are white spots that may appear where minerals have been lost. Acid attacks, from foods or drinks containing sugar and starches, on tooth enamel cause mineral loss. If the decay continues then eventually a cavity will form.

• On a lighter note: Here are some fun facts to share with your kids to get them excited about their appointment.

o The average person has 32 teeth, one kind of tooth is called a canine, like a dog!
o Your teeth are made of enamel, and that’s the hardest substance in the body.
o Your teeth help you eat your favorite foods, and look great in pictures!

The more the merrier. Help us celebrate National Children’s Dental Health month by sharing what you’ve learned on Facebook with your friends! Call us to see if your little one’s appointment is coming up, we can’t wait to see you.

"Defeat Monster Mouth" Month

Have you heard of "Defeat Monster Mouth" month? This month-long national health observance brings together thousands of dedicated dental professionals, healthcare providers, and educators to promote the benefits of good oral health to children, their caregivers, teachers and many others.

Last Thursday, Justyna and Jessica (our amazing office staff) dressed up as Molars for this special month:

They had tons of fun and, of course, a lot of attention from everyone driving by. People honked and rolled down their windows and blared music for them!

Justyna also went to visit a little boy named Liam Merkle, who was getting his teeth cleaned. He got a Dentistry by Design T-Shirt from Justyna and a picture with her dressed as a molar. 

Hopefully this encourages him to keep up with his oral health and come for regular cleanings!

All of us here at Dentistry By Design would like to wish you a happy "Defeat Monster Mouth" month and are glad to be of service should you need help fighting the monsters in your mouth! 

If you have young children, we hope you demonstrate to them effective ways to maintain good oral health by brushing, flossing, rinsing, and eating healthy snacks. Feel free to contact us if you'd like tips on how to do this!

Five Tips for Finding the Right Dentist

Although it may not seem like it, dental practices are everywhere—even in towns that don’t boast a huge population. If you live in a big city and you don’t already have a dentist you trust, it can be overwhelming figuring out the best dentist for you in your community. The following tips can help you make the right choice, even with so many options—ahem—in your face.

1. Know Your Insurance Benefits. Your insurance provider’s website might offer a list of dental providers in your network, but first you have to find out what type of insurance you have. Dental HMOs limit your choice of dentist to an HMO network member; a PPO plan might have different copayment levels, depending on whether a given dentist is in or out of the network. If you don’t have insurance, ask about the practice’s in-house care plan, as these plans can save you money on cleanings and other procedures.

2. Know What Work You Need. Are you looking for cosmetic dental work or family dental work? Do you need a dentist who specializes in putting children at ease? Do you need someone to remove your wisdom teeth, like an oral surgeon? Even if you have an idea of what you need, if you haven’t had x-rays in a few years, it’s a good idea to start your search with a general dentist.

3. Know What to Ask. Take time to consider what’s most important to you in a dentist. Is their clinical experience and continued training key? Do you want the latest in office amenities such as neck pillows to make your treatment more comfortable? Are you looking for a practice that offers sedation dentistry to calm your dental fears? What about the latest technology such as digital x-rays to reduce radiation? Have a list of questions ready about issues that are important to you when you call to schedule your checkup.

4. Evaluate Convenience. Convenience can mean any number of things to you, such as location, office hours, available emergency care, evening and weekend availability, or fees and payment plans. Consider what convenience means to you before calling a prospective dentist.

5. Evaluate Compatibility. Consider how compatible your family and this prospective dentist are: does the practice seem like it is a good fit? Once you’ve done your due diligence in checking out the practice online and have gotten a positive impression, take the time to visit the practice and meet the dentist. Don’t be afraid to simply trust your instincts.

Smile Brighter: Tips for a Youthful-Looking You in 2015

Yellow teeth can be a sign of aging and can make you look older than you are. So this year’s New Year’s resolution is simple: regain your youth! Taking just a couple of simple steps can help you maintain or regain that bright, white, youthful-looking smile for 2015.

Tooth stains fall into two categories: extrinsic and intrinsic. Extrinsic stains are the yellow and brown stains that occur on the surface of your teeth. Intrinsic stains occur inside teeth, making them appear gray or blue, and they have a variety of common causes, including:
• Childhood antibiotics
• Trauma that has led to the death of a tooth’s nerve (tooth turns grey, brown, or black)
• Overexposure to fluoride when young, resulting in a spotted or mottled look

Some surface stains can be removed simply with teeth-whitening toothpastes and over-the-counter teeth-whitening kits. These stain-removal methods, along with employing a good daily oral-hygiene routine, can help you begin to revitalize your youthful smile.

General teeth-whitening tips:
• Brush and floss regularly to avoid the stains that result from plaque buildup
• Get regular professional cleanings to remove tartar and stains that result
• Avoid smoking, which not only stains teeth but damages gums
• Avoid drinks that stain (coffee, soda, wine) and drink liquids through a straw when possible to avoid contact with teeth

Things to consider:
• Choose toothpaste that has been awarded the ADA seal of approval (these toothpastes will not fix stains that are intrinsic)
• Teeth-whitening kits take about 2 to 3 weeks to get the job done
• A common side effect of teeth-whitening kits is tooth and gum sensitivity

If you have deep stains or want to achieve a brighter smile quickly, having your teeth whitened by your dental care provider is the best way to go. Professional-grade whitening products can whiten your smile by 10 to 12 shades in a very short amount of time. Setting up an appointment for a whitening consultation is the best way to find out which method is best for you.

If you have intrinsic staining or a sufficient amount of dental restorations, teeth whitening may not work. Talk to your dental provider about alternatives like porcelain veneers or cosmetic crowns. Whatever the case may be, achieving and maintaining a brighter, whiter smile in 2015 is the perfect way to start the new year off feeling rejuvenated and looking your best.

Source: Dr. Bret Gilsdorf, DDS, FAGD

Team Summit Weekend in Las Vegas

Always on the lookout for ways to improve our patients' experience, six members of the Dentistry By Design team embarked on a trip to Team Summit in Las Vegas last weekend for a dynamic learning experience, some team-building activities, and a little fun!

L-R: Ashley, Dr. Gilsdorf, Justyna, Dr. Guess, Amber, Jessica

Day-time view from the balcony of The Cosmopolitan, where the team stayed at.

Night-time view from the balcony of The Cosmopolitan.

Amber, Ashley, and Jessica at the welcoming reception.

Team Summit is a comprehensive program that teaches individuals how to improve on their business practices, work more effectively with their peers, and have a greater impact on the community and industry.

In addition to the workshops they attended, the team also had the opportunity to listen to and learn from inspirational keynote speakers such as David Salyers, Seth Mattison, and Brandon Dawson. These speakers were a wealth of knowledge on topics such as entrepreneurship, leadership, teamwork, and innovation.

David Salyers, vice president of national and regional marketing for Chick-fil-A, Inc.

Seth Mattison, founder and chief movement officer of FutureSight Labs.

Brandon Dawson, lecturer and CEO advisor on entrepreneurship, leadership, and business-building strategies.

During the Team Summit Awards Ceremony, Dentistry By Design received several awards, including the prestigious "Outstanding First Impression Practice Award", a recognition that is truly well-deserved by the entire office.

At the Awards Ceremony.

The team at the Awards Ceremony.

Of course, the weekend was not all work and no play. The team took the opportunity to let their hair down by enjoying some fine dining and catching the production of "O" by Cirque du Soleil at the Bellagio. The ladies even tried their hand at Blackjack but soon decided that they were better off sticking to dentistry!

Catching up with Professional Development Manager, Sara Barlow, at the Bellagio.

Waiting for the performance of "O" to begin.

Playing a round of Blackjack.

Overall, the Dentistry By Design representatives at Team Summit had an extremely fruitful and fun experience in Las Vegas. This could not have been possible without the cooperation of fellow team members who stayed behind to keep the office running smoothly, so a big round of thanks goes out to them! 

Las Vegas 2014